Otis Singleton
Smart meters are devices used by utility companies to remotely measure electricity, gas, and water usage. They have been the subject of health concerns due to their emission of radiofrequency (RF) radiation, which is similar to that of cell phones and Wi-Fi devices. While some people do not experience noticeable symptoms when exposed to this type of radiation, others have reported adverse health effects, including electrosensitivity, fatigue, insomnia, heart palpitations, and more. There is also growing evidence of the biological effects of RF radiation exposure, with organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics expressing concern. The current regulations for RF radiation exposure are based on outdated standards, and the long-term cumulative exposures from smart meters, which can pulse up to 190,000 times a day, are not adequately addressed. Some individuals have opted to remove their smart meters or choose non-wireless alternatives due to these health concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health Issues | Fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, heart palpitations, headaches, tinnitus, memory loss, seizures, increased cancer risk, damage to the nervous system, adverse reproductive effects, DNA damage |
| Reasons | Radiofrequency radiation emissions, electromagnetic radiation, dirty electricity, cumulative exposures, RF waves |
| Risks | Pregnant women, unborn children, young children, teenagers, men of reproductive age, seniors, people with chronic health conditions |
| Solutions | Opt-out laws, using older non-wireless meters, employing EMF consultants or Building Biologists, removing smart meters |
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What You'll Learn
Radiofrequency radiation emissions
The American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations have expressed concern about radiation standards for wireless devices. They believe that pregnant women, unborn children, young children, teenagers, men of reproductive age, seniors, and those with chronic health conditions are at a particularly high risk of harm from RF radiation exposure. Electric fields can interfere with the electrical communication in the body, such as brain waves and neuron firing, and can impede inter-cell communication.
Some studies have found that pulsed radiation from smart meters can cause serious health problems, including tinnitus, memory loss, and seizures. Thousands of studies have linked biological effects to RF radiation exposure, including an increased risk of cancer, damage to the nervous system, adverse reproductive effects, and DNA damage. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits for RF radiation, but these regulations are based on outdated thinking from the 1980s, primarily considering the heating effects of RF radiation rather than its cumulative effects.
Smart meters can pulse up to 190,000 times a day, and their placement on homes has been linked to a devastating effect on health as the pulsed non-ionizing radiation is transmitted through household wiring. People living near a bank of meters may be exposed to radiation from multiple sources simultaneously. While non-ionizing radiation does not cause cell mutations like ionizing radiation (X-rays and gamma rays), it can still have an impact on cellular structures and human health.
Some individuals have reported becoming electrically sensitive after exposure to smart meters, experiencing constant headaches, ringing ears, and fatigue when exposed to Wi-Fi or cell phone signals. In some places, people have the choice to opt-in or opt out of having smart meters installed, but this option is not available everywhere. Those with health concerns can consult an EMF consultant or Building Biologist to review and mitigate their home's EMF exposure.
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Electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome
EHS is not a medically accepted diagnosis. There is no scientific basis for the syndrome, and it is not a recognized medical diagnosis. There is no case definition, clinical practice guideline, or test to identify it. The symptoms of EHS overlap with other syndromes, such as functional somatic syndromes and idiopathic environmental intolerance. The prevalence of reported symptoms varies geographically and culturally, and there is no consistent pattern to these symptoms. However, a 2007 UK survey of 20,000 people found a 4% prevalence of symptoms self-attributed to electromagnetic exposure.
Despite the lack of scientific recognition, some people report experiencing adverse health effects when exposed to electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation from wireless smart meters. These symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, and heart palpitations, and are more frequently reported when smart meters are installed near people's heads, such as in bedrooms. Some individuals have reported that their symptoms resolved after removing smart meters, while others have had to leave their homes due to severe adverse symptoms.
There is growing evidence of the biological effects of exposure to radiofrequency radiation, and organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics have expressed concern regarding radiation standards for wireless devices. Electric fields can affect electrical communication in the body, such as brain waves and neuron communication, and can also interfere with inter-cell communication.
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Inaccurate billing and privacy issues
Smart meters have been linked to inaccurate billing and privacy issues. Inaccurate billing is an unsolved mystery, with utilities claiming that the problem is not with their devices but with the user. However, a recent poll revealed that about one-third of people who installed smart meters experienced bill increases, with one-quarter of those having their bills doubled or tripled.
Smart meters can provide detailed information about energy usage, which can be used to determine when someone is home or not. This information can be sold to advertisers without the consumer's consent. Additionally, hackers could potentially change the calibration settings to make the meter read fewer kilowatt hours.
Smart meters also raise privacy concerns as they collect and transmit personal information such as meter numbers, total electric usage, and customer names, addresses, and phone numbers. This data can be accessed by utilities and potentially by advertisers or other third parties.
To address these issues, some states have implemented Smart Meter Opt-Out Laws, allowing residents to refuse smart meters and request analogue meters instead. Some people have also reported success in getting their smart meters removed by citing health concerns or EMF sensitivity.
It is important for individuals to be aware of their privacy rights and to take steps to protect their personal information. This includes being cautious about providing personal information to utility companies and being vigilant about monitoring energy usage and billing statements for any discrepancies.
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Pulsed non-ionizing radiation
Sources of non-ionizing radiation include ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is a natural part of solar radiation and is also released by black lights, tanning beds, and electric arc lighting. Normal everyday levels of UV radiation can be beneficial and help produce vitamin D, but excessive exposure can lead to skin burns, premature aging, eye damage, and skin cancer.
Radiofrequency (RF) radiation is another type of non-ionizing radiation. RF radiation is commonly associated with transmitting signals from wireless devices such as cell phones, cell phone towers, and satellite phones. While RF radiation is not believed to cause cancer by damaging DNA, there are concerns about its potential effects on cells that could lead to cancer.
Smart meters, which are digital devices that measure energy usage, have been identified as sources of pulsed non-ionizing radiation. They can emit radiofrequency radiation, and there have been reports of adverse health effects, including fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, and heart palpitations. Some people have reported relief from symptoms after removing smart meters, and at least 24 states in the US have a Smart Meter Opt-Out Law.
The pulsed nature of the radiation from smart meters, with spikes of pulsed energy, is believed to be particularly harmful to cellular structures. Additionally, the long-term cumulative exposures are not adequately considered in the regulations governing these devices. Smart meters can pulse up to 190,000 times a day, and the radiation can travel through household wiring, potentially affecting those living nearby.
While some people may not experience noticeable symptoms from exposure to smart meter radiation, there is growing evidence of biological effects. Electric fields can influence electrical communication in the body, including brainwaves and neuron communication, and can also impact inter-cell communication.
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Increased cancer risk
There are concerns that electric smart meters may increase cancer risk due to the radiofrequency (RF) radiation they emit. RF radiation is a type of non-ionizing radiation that is also emitted by cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and other wireless devices. While the amount of RF radiation emitted by smart meters is typically
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Frequently asked questions
Smart meters are devices used by utility companies to remotely measure how much electricity, natural gas, water, and other utilities you use.
There is growing evidence of the biological effects of being exposed to radiofrequency (RF) radiation from wireless smart meters. Symptoms reported include fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, heart palpitations, headaches, and dizziness.
You can try to opt out of having a smart meter and use an older non-wireless meter. You can also employ the services of an EMF consultant or Building Biologist to review and mitigate your home of all types of EMF.
You can request to have an analogue meter installed instead of a smart meter.
